Business of the House

Rachael Maskell Excerpts

Thursday 30th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lidington]

I refer the hon. Lady to the Prime Minister’s letter yesterday, which made explicit mention of our objective of securing trade access for our financial services and, of course, reciprocal rights for financial services firms based in other European Union countries. The hon. Lady temps me to speculate about a forthcoming negotiation; as she knows, that is not something I am prepared to do.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

Small businesses in my constituency gained little confidence from the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday. We were promised debates in Government time on important issues affected by our leaving the EU, including workers’ rights and environmental protections, and on the effect on small businesses, yet they have not happened. Will the Leader of the House publish a schedule of debates in Government time on these important issues?

[Mr Lidington]

I can promise the hon. Lady that there will be numerous opportunities, particularly in the forthcoming parliamentary Session, to debate every aspect of our departure from the European Union.